New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian athletes for delivering the nation’s best-ever performance, in terms of medals, at the just-concluded Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia.

At the continent’s multi-sport spectacle, India achieved its best-ever medals tally with 69 medals (15 gold, 24 silver, 30 bronze). Also, 15 gold medals are the joint highest ever, matching the tally in the inaugural Games in 1951 in New Delhi.

Earlier, India’s largest ever medal haul was in 2010 in Guangzhou Games where the nation returned with 65 medals.

Soon after the curtains came down on the 18th edition of Asian Games on Sunday, Modi, in a series of tweets, congratulated all the athletes and called them “India’s pride”.

He wrote, "I once again congratulate the Indian contingent ... The 2018 Games have been the best for India in the history of the Asian Games. Every athlete who took part in the Games is India's pride."

"I salute the coaches, support staff, parents, family and friends of the athletes. Thank you for constantly supporting our champions," he added. 

He also appreciated the Indonesian president Joko Widodo for being an amazing host. He tweeted, "Congratulations to President @jokowi and the people of Indonesia for hosting such a memorable #AsianGames2018.

These games witnessed great performances by the athletes and wonderfully manifested the spirit of sportsmanship."